The siege at the Golden Temple

In May 1984, Sikh separatists lead by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale take control of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine.

The separatists want an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan.

Hundreds of pilgrims inside the shrine are unwittingly held hostage as the Indian Army storms the Golden Temple on the night of June 5.

By the time the bloody battle ends two days later --Bhindranwale's troops are led by retired general Shubegh Singh, ironically a hero of the 1971 war against Pakistan -- and the army takes full control of the shrine, nearly 500 people are dead. The unofficial toll is much higher.

Indira Gandhi's government comes under immense criticism for launching the military assault on the Golden Temple, much of which lies damaged.

Four months later, Indira Gandhi is dead, gunned down by her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.

Image: Activists during a rally to mark the 25th anniversary of Operation Blue StarPhotographs: Munish Sharma/Reuters

The Beslan school siege

Soon after children arrive at school after their summer holidays in the Russian town of Beslan on September 1, Chechen terrorists take almost 1,100 people hostage.

The terrorists want President Vladmir Putin to end the second Chechen war before they release the hostages.

Unbelievable scenes of human agony unfold during the many hours of the terrifying siege in the town located in north Ossentia bordering Chechnya.

On the third day of the siege, September 3, Russian commandos storm the school building.

The special forces kill all but one of the 32 terrorists. 303 others are dead, including 186 children. 700 people are injured.

Though some children escape from the building as the troops move in, many bodies are found charred beyond recognition after the siege. Parents have to wait for DNA tests to confirm the fate of their children.

Image: A woman grieves at the wall filled with photographs of the siege victimsPhotographs: Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters